Before we get into the next adventure, and all that it entails, I’d like to discuss a topic that I think is pretty crucial to the hunting industry as a whole.

Lately, I've seen several people update their profile pics with the new "PETA" filter, "shoot selfies, not animals", paired with a grip and grin of their latest kill. (They think they are really sticking it to PETA with a clever twist on “PETA’s” filter). I use quotes, because I'm not actually sure PETA initiated it. And while I applaud the fact that these individuals are standing up for what they believe in, I don’t think they have really thought it through. These posts are actually HURTING the industry. If PETA did create it, then they are succeeding in their mission. A recent Outdoor Life article put it this way:

I think it's important to remind people of the "why" behind what we do, not just post pictures of dead animals.

Hunting is not a right. It is a privilege. And if we don't steward it well, it's a privilege that will be taken away.

Society as a whole used to understand hunting. There was no explanation needed as to why we hunted. But as our world drifts further and further away from relying on hunting as a source of survival, our society is less accepting of our heritage and traditions. We must keep in mind that hunters only make up approximately 5.5% of U.S. citizens. hunters only make up approximately 5.5% of U.S. citizens.

Whatever we do to support hunting and conservation cannot

and should not encourage this attitude of "us versus them".

By sheer numbers, we won't win that game. We are all in this together.

People have changed the face of the earth forever. There's no way around it. Simply letting wildlife roam unmanaged is no longer an option. Their environment is affected by human presence. And it always will be. The only choice we have is to manage the wildlife populations.

In fact, the Bible tells us in Genesis chapter 1 that managing this earth, and the wildlife in it, is our responsibility.

And (just a cool side note), while they are thriving, we are able to make great use of this awesome, renewable resource. Every year, deer alone account for nearly 300 MILLION (!) pounds of meat that is harvested in the U.S. That’s 300 million pounds that the beef industry who is already tasked with feeding the world, doesn’t have to provide

All of that to say, that I deeply believe that hunting is a good thing. I think it’s good for society. I think it’s good for wildlife. I think it’s good for the environment.

I think hunting is necessary,

and the perception of hunting that we, as hunters,

portray to the rest of the world will make or break it.

Non-hunters don’t want to see your latest trophy. They don’t care how many inches your bull was, or how many pounds your grizzly weighed.

Non-hunters care about the story,

and whether or not you respected the animal.

They want to know if you ate it and enjoyed it. Flashing pictures on Facebook with your arms half covered in blood and an exuberant look on your face just doesn’t do it. Give them context.

Tell the story. Invite them into the adventure.

Whether you are a hunter, non-hunter, or anti-hunter, we can all agree that wildlife is important. And making sure that wildlife thrives is important. The only way this can be achieved is by working together. Let’s focus on what we can agree on, not what makes us different.